The Delhi Capitals (DC) are facing online backlash after naming Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 citing ¡°personal reasons.¡± In light of multiple overseas withdrawals, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) permitted teams to sign replacements, and DC made the call on Wednesday. However, the move has drawn criticism on X, with many fans expressing disappointment over the franchise¡¯s decision. Read on to find out why.
Delhi Capitals sign Mustafizur Rahman as?Jake Fraser-McGurk's replacement?
After a brief suspension due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan 2025 is officially resuming on May 17. However, the mid-season break has thrown team plans into disarray, especially with several overseas players uncertain about returning. One of the teams impacted is the Akshar Patel-led Delhi Capitals, who have confirmed that explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk will not be available for the remainder of the tournament.?To fill the gap, the franchise initially named Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.?
Just hours after DC announced Mustafizur as Fraser-McGurk's replacement, the pacer had to leave for the UAE to join the Bangladesh national team, reportedly due to not receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He confirmed his departure with a photo on social media, captioned: ¡°Heading to UAE to play against them. Keep me in your prayers.¡±?
While Rahman won¡¯t be featured in the league after all, Delhi Capitals are now facing online backlash simply for considering a Bangladeshi player during a time of heightened geopolitical sensitivity. Many fans believe that Bangladesh has shown open support for Pakistan during the ongoing tensions with India and view Delhi¡¯s move as tone-deaf and poorly judged.
The outrage has taken over social media, where the hashtag #BoycottDelhiCapitals is now trending, with one user writing, "As a Delhiite, I can no longer support @DelhiCapitals. The franchise's support for players from a country known for its anti-India stance, including backing Pakistan, is unacceptable to me. #BoycottDelhiCapitals."??
Another user mentioned, "How can they pick players from a country where anti-India voices are growing and open support for Pakistan exists???"
A third user tweeted, "Shame on Delhi Capitals! Bangladeshis hate Indians & they openly support Pakistan and did so many things against India, but this shameless franchise signed Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi player, in IPL."
"Their continued support for players from a nation with a clear anti-India stance ¡ª including open backing of Pakistan ¡ª is deeply disappointing," a fourth user tweeted.
Check out some more reactions below:
Meanwhile, DC, who are still in the race of playoffs, are awaiting confirmation from key overseas players like Mitchell Starc, Faf du Plessis, and Tristan Stubbs, who are uncertain due to Test commitments.
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